The Deceptive Orchestration

Genesis 27:11–17 (NASB95) 

11Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. 12“Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing.” 13But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.”14So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother; and his mother made savory food such as his father loved. 15Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son Jacob. 

Jacob hesitated when Rebekah revealed her plan. He feared Isaac would touch him and discover the truth. Jacob knew Esau’s skin was hairy, while his own was smooth. He worried about being caught and receiving a curse instead of a blessing. Jacob’s concern was focused on the risk, not whether the act was right or wrong. He did not question the morality of deceiving his father; he only feared the consequences if the plan failed. Jacob saw Esau as a rival, even as the real trickster, for trying to reclaim a birthright he had already sold. 

Rebekah responded with determination. She accepted full responsibility for what would happen. She told Jacob, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Only obey my voice.” Rebekah’s resolve pushed the plan forward. She managed every detail, creating disguises and instructions to make sure Jacob would succeed. Her willingness to bear any curse showed her strength and conviction. Rebekah thought her actions were justified, even in God's eyes. 

Rebekah took control of the situation. She prepared the meal Isaac loved. She dressed Jacob in Esau’s best clothes. She covered Jacob’s hands and neck with goatskins to imitate Esau’s hairy skin. Rebekah handed the food to Jacob and sent him to Isaac. Every detail was carefully arranged. Rebekah acted as the driving force behind the deception. Jacob followed her instructions and played the part she gave him. The story shows Rebekah’s determination to secure the blessing for Jacob, believing she was fulfilling the word God had spoken about her sons. 

Jacob did not lead. He obeyed his mother. Rebekah’s actions were bold. She left nothing to chance. She used her knowledge of Isaac’s blindness and his love for Esau’s food. The plan depended on Isaac’s trust in his senses.  

The narrative does not excuse the deception. As we will see, it shows the cost of human schemes. Rebekah’s actions changed the family forever. But, Rebekah believed that the blessing, once given, could not be taken back. The story reminds us that God’s purposes move forward, even when people act out of fear or ambition. 

God’s people must guard against using wrong means to achieve good ends. Manipulation and deceit bring pain and division. God’s promises do not need human schemes. Trust in God’s timing and wisdom. Families and churches should seek honesty, unity, and faith in God’s word. When we face uncertainty, we should pray for wisdom and act with integrity.